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Olson 34 Ericson
Designer: George Olson  ·  Builder: Ericson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1988
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About the Olson 34 Ericson

George Olson's design philosophy shines through in this 34-foot performance cruiser, representing one of the final collaborations between the renowned designer and Ericson Yachts. Built during a brief two-year production run from 1988-1990, only 39 hulls were completed, making this boat a relatively rare find in today's market. The Olson 34 Ericson strikes an impressive balance between spirited sailing performance and practical cruising capabilities. With a fin keel and spade rudder configuration paired with a masthead sloop rig, she delivers responsive handling and respectable speed potential. The boat's sail area to displacement ratio of 18.17 places her firmly in performance cruiser territory, offering enough power to satisfy sailors seeking excitement while maintaining the stability needed for comfortable coastal cruising. Her moderate displacement of 10,600 pounds and solid fiberglass construction provide structural integrity for extended offshore passages, while the comfortable beam creates spacious accommodations below. The low comfort ratio of 23.02 indicates a more performance-oriented design that prioritizes sailing ability over ultimate cruising luxury. This makes the Olson 34 Ericson particularly appealing to sailors who want a boat capable of both weekend racing and coastal exploration, embodying the best of Olson's design legacy.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 10,600.00 lb / 4,808 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 546.00 ft² / 50.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG/solidlaminate
Designer George Olson
Builder Ericson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1988
Last Built 1990
Number Built 39
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 114
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.17
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 215.57
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 23.02
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.98
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.09 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.65
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,083.51 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.17
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 44.50 ft / 13.56 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.30 ft / 4.05 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.80 ft / 11.83 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.90 ft / 3.93 m
SA Fore 295.93 ft² / 27.49 m²
SA Main 250.26 ft² / 23.25 m²
SA Total (100%) 546.19 ft² / 50.74 m²
Est. Forestay Length 46.45 ft / 14.16 m
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